Bangers and Smash: UK MMA Expo Fiasco, KSW Results, TUF Live

Welcome to Bangers and Smash, a weekly feature in which The MMA Corner’s Nedu Obi will take a look at world of MMA from across the pond in England. This will include notable fighters and events from throughout the UK, as well as Europe.

UK MMA Expo Fiasco

May 12 and 13, 2012 were two days that would’ve sent out a message of intent to the rest of the mixed martial arts world—that British MMA was ready to compete with the best of the best, with regards to staging events.

However, that was not the case, as The MMA Show Live, which was scheduled to take place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England, on the aforementioned dates descended into a complete and utter fiasco.

Without any hint of warning, the expo, which had garnered the services of former UFC titlists Randy Couture and Rashad Evans, was cancelled. Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion and current UFC resident Dan Henderson, Kenny Florian and Thiago Silva were also booked to appear.

With such MMA dignitaries willing to take time out and help promote the sport in the UK, you’d have thought the organizers would’ve bent over backwards to ensure the show went ahead.

Sadly, for the 50 or so MMA celebrities expected to attend the event, but more importantly the fans who forked out good money to witness what would’ve been the greatest MMA expo on British shores, it became quite evident it was amateur night.

Investigations and reimbursements, I’m sure will follow, but for now the damage has been done.

Everyone involved with British MMA and especially with the embarrassment of the cancellation needs to guarantee nothing like this ever happens again.

With that said, the British scene could salvage some pride if things go according to plan when the SENI expo show comes to London’s Excel Arena on June 2 and 3.

Mamed “The Cannibal” Khalidov upped his winning streak to six with a first-round annihilation of UFC veteran Rodney Wallace.

The card also featured Paulina Suska vs. Marta Chojnoska—the first ever women’s bout in the promotion’s history. For Chojnoska, this was her debut fight, and she didn’t disappoint, submitting Suska by armlock in 42 seconds. Is she another Ronda Rousey in the making? Watch this space.

British-born fighter Andy Ogle, part of Team Urijah Faber, is now two fights from the TUF final, and the possibility of being handed a contract by the Zuffa-based promotion if all goes well in said contests.

But first, he has to take care of fellow 155-pounder and teammate Al Iaquinta when the two go head-to-head on May 18.

Iaquinta progressed to the quarterfinals with decision wins over Jon Tucker and Myles Jury. Meanwhile the 22-year-old Ogle upended Brendan Weafer via decision and submitted Mike Rio by way of rear-naked choke to book his spot.

This fight is a tough one to call as both combatants are proficient in jiu-jitsu, wrestling and striking. However, I believe Ogle’s intensity and the thought of what lies at the end of the rainbow will give him that extra incentive to propel him to the semifinals.

Prediction: Ogle via submission.

Photo: Mariusz Pudzianowski (Sportfan.pl)

This piece was authored by Nedu Obi. You can find Nedu on Twitter: @Nedu_Obi